Pope Francis: Visionary or Dreamer?

by Eduardo del Buey

Pope Francis: Visionary or Dreamer?

In a world that appears to be bereft of strong and positive leadership, one man stands out in my view speaking out against the man-made theologies that divide people everywhere and calling for the unity of all, believers and non-believers, in a world of unity and love.

Whatever your religious beliefs (or non-religious beliefs), a human race governed by those who preach hatred and division cannot survive without the participation of every one of us.

We each have to explore the veracity of the theologies that guide our actions and reactions and ask if they are truly based on divine law or on the desire of certain people to exert power over others.

On World Youth Day in 2013, Pope Francis said that "We need saints without cassocks, without veils - we need saints with jeans and tennis shoes. We need saints that go to the movies, that listen to music, that hang out with their friends. We need saints - saints for the 21st century with a spirituality appropriate to our new time.

We need saints that have a commitment to helping the poor and to make the needed social change. We need saints to live in the world, to sanctify the world and to not be afraid of living in the world by their presence in it. We need saints that drink Coca-Cola, that eat hot dogs, that surf the internet and that listen to their iPods.

We need saints who love the movies, dance, sports, theatre. We need saints that are open, sociable, normal, happy companions. We need saints who are in this world and who know how to enjoy the best in this world without being callous or mundane."

The quote is long but underscores the needs for all religions to cease being centers of control and power and remember the main teaching of all religions – love one another.

Pope Francis has come to terms with history and, throughout his papacy, sought to make love his message rather than doctrine. He has preferred to console souls rather than force the mistakes of the past on current and future generations. And he has done what Church leaders have avoided in the past—to admit fallibility despite the Church’s teachings (invented four centuries after Christ’s death) that the Pope and the Church are infallible.

Theology is a man-made compendium of thinking that has nothing to do with God since no one here has ever actually met God. For those who believe, God is the voice inside of us that guides us and is the source of our conscience.

Any theology that promotes inhumane behavior or intolerance is unworthy of a deity whose essence embodies the oneness of all things. If one believes in a single God, then that God transcends religion and theology.

While God unites, religion divides, and division is the bane that is driving today’s world into the abyss of negativity.

As a Jesuit pope, Pope Francis emphasizes that a fundamental task of the faithful is not only to follow rules but also to discern what God is calling them to do. He has transformed the culture of the clergy, moving away from what he terms "clericalism," which emphasizes priestly status and authority, and toward an ethic of service.

Pope Francis's leadership style is characterized by his commitment to engaging in dialogue and listening to diverse perspectives. He has shown a willingness to connect with individuals of various faiths and backgrounds, seeking common ground and promoting understanding and respect. This approach has helped bridge divides and foster a sense of unity among people of different beliefs.

Pope Francis has also been willing to tackle difficult and controversial issues within the Catholic Church, such as the sexual abuse scandal, acknowledging the pain and suffering these abuses have caused and taking steps to address them. His commitment to transparency and accountability has been praised by many, reflecting his genuine desire to heal and renew the Church.

The Pope's endorsement of civil unions for the LGBTQ community has received mixed reactions within the Catholic Church.

Conservative factions have criticized his departure from traditional teachings, while progressive Catholics and LGBTQ activists celebrate his support for legal protections. This division highlights Pope Francis's challenges in navigating the complex landscape of LGBTQ rights within the Church.

Despite Pope Francis's efforts to promote inclusivity, he has faced substantial challenges and criticisms from conservative factions within the Catholic Church. Some argue that his statements and actions have created confusion and undermined the Church's teachings on human sexuality, while others believe he has not gone far enough in advocating for LGBTQ rights, especially concerning same-sex marriage and adoption.

Moreover, Pope Francis encounters opposition from external conservative groups and individuals who view his progressive stance as a deviation from traditional Catholic teachings. These critics assert that the Pope's perspectives on LGBTQ rights are influenced by secular ideologies and do not align with the Church's moral teachings.

But the Church’s moral teachings are man-made.

Pope Francis epitomizes what a spiritual leader should be in our turbulent world. A leader willing to take on orthodoxy and reject the laws of man, preferring the law of spiritual love, is a leader who understands the true nature of God and the reason why we are all here.

A leader who does not seek substantial contributions to his personal wealth or lavish lifestyle. A leader who inspires through love instead of fear.

The Persian philosopher Rumi once wrote, “I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars; I started listening to the teachings of my soul.”

No matter your religious beliefs, I hope you start listening to your intuition instead of the words of those who would try to control you through manipulation.

Building bridges instead of walls is the only way to overcome the influence of those who preach hatred and division. We must free ourselves from the spiritual shackles imposed by generations of men on believers of all backgrounds.

This is Pope Francis’s legacy as he leaves this life—a legacy that applies to everyone regardless of their religious or spiritual beliefs.